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Submitted: 8/20/16 • Approved: 8/20/16 • Last Updated: 12/8/21 • R796365-G796364-S3
Mar 2, 1922
Feb 28, 2008
Mrs. Loretta A. Bruton passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, while at Willow Care Nursing Home in Willow Springs. Born on March 2, 1922, in Seymour, Mo., to Virgil Early Heard and Clara A. (Brumback) Heard, she was 85 years old. Loretta's mother, Clara, passed away during childbirth in 1924 when Loretta was just 2 years old. She spent much of her time at her grandparents, Cora and Cary Brumback's home. Later, Loretta's father, Virgil, married Betty Haney and to this union, seven more siblings were born. In 1941, Loretta married Alvin Carl Lowery. To this union, two sons were born – Gaylon Carl and Gary Wayne. Alvin served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was killed while on active duty on Sept. 20, 1944. On Sept. 18, 1948, Loretta married James Harold Young in Boone County, Ark., and the couple had one daughter, LeEtta Joyce. The couple built a home and resided in Clever, Mo. (Boaz), for a number of years. The family later moved to Springfield in 1963. Loretta married Hearshel Bruton on Sept. 2, 1969, in Ottawa County, Okla., and due to Hearshel's failing health, Loretta cared for him until his death on Sept. 6, 1993. An old friend, Bill Garrison, came back into Loretta's life in August of 1995. The two were inseparable from 1995 until Loretta fell and broke her hip on April 23, 2007. Due to the need for 24-hour health care, on May 17, 2007, Loretta moved to Willow Care Nursing Home in Willow Springs so LeEtta could help care for her. She will be loved and greatly missed by all who knew her. Loretta was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; her first husband, Alvin Lowry; second husband, James Harold Young; and her third husband, Hearshel Bruton. She was further preceded in death by a son, Gary Wayne Lowery; a brother, Floyd Heard; and sisters Hazel Heard and Marie Cornelison. Loretta is survived by her two children, LeEtta East of Willow Springs; and Gaylon Lowery and his wife, Jan, of Columbia, Mo. She leaves her grandchildren Aaron Lowery and his wife, Rhonda, of Tucson, Ariz.; Jennifer Foster and her husband, Bob, of Phoenix, Ariz.; John Lowery and his wife, Heather, of San Diego, Calif.; and Eric Schermerhorn and his wife, Amber, of Fayetteville, Ark.; seven great-grandchildren; and her brothers and sisters, Mabel Evans Steeley and her husband Charlie of Rialto, Calif.; Virgil Heard and his wife Donola of Camp Verde, Ariz.; Jess Heard and his wife Wanda of Seymour, Mo.; Margaret Cummins and her husband Romaine of Springfield, Mo.; Betty Jane Swearengin of Seymour, Mo.; June Bennett and her husband Marion of Ozark, Mo.; Twyla Willard and her husband Daryl of Ozark, Mo.; Jerry Heard and his wife Linda of Ozark, Mo.; daughter-in-law Johnie Wren of Harrison, Ark.; and her special friend Bill Garrison of Mt. Vernon, Mo. A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at the Trinity Baptist Church in Willow Springs. Rev. Jerry Heard and Pastor David Cox officiated. Burial followed the service at the Willow Springs City Cemetery in Willow Springs. Arrangements were under the direction of Willow Funeral Home.
Contributed on 8/20/16 by mjrwag
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Record #: 796365